More news from Freddy who had an accident last week and is missing his friends and home.
Freddy news is also available with pictures on Pats website, see freddys link on the right hand side.
28/11/07
Freddy thinks of home
Nov 28
As soon as I found a snug spot in Jon’s sled, I began to relax. There was a bad smell and I poked around until I found what was causing it.. a pair of socks! I remembered him saying he had woren the same pair for 15 days.. I believed him now!
The team have brought as little clothing as possible; they have to carry everything in their sleds, so can’t bring any extras. I even saw Shaun cut the top of the handle off his toothbrush, just to save weight!
I think I fell fast asleep as soon as I closed my eyes. I could feel the sled sway up, down and around. It was like being in a boat and I dreamt about being on a tropical island.
In my dreams, I thought I could hear someone call my name. I didn’t want to open my eyes, I was just too tired. I lay there thinking about all my friends at home and wondering what they were doing.
Imagine I’ve been on the ice for 17 days now – a long time for a little bear!
26/11/07
Where’s Freddy!!
Pic – freddy with Bandages
Nov 26
Meanwhile back in the tent, the alarm clock was going off.. It was 6am and time to wake. Pat stirred first and began to get the stoves going. He looked twice, noticing there was something missing – Freddy’s boots!
He turned back into the tent and saw the empty sleeping bag. Suddenly, he threw open the tent door, shouting ‘Freddy, Freddy’.
Just as he stood upright, I arrived back at our campsite. I was panting heavily, holding my stomach where the sastrugi had hit me, and was now close to tears.
Pat’s face was hot with anger. ’ Freddy, where have you been?’ Then he looked at the state of me, became concerned, and added ‘what on earth happened?’
He led me into the warm tent and handed me a mug of tea. I began to explain, as I sat there shaking. He was angry that I went outside alone in the middle of the night. I showed Clare where I got hit by the sastrugi and she put a bandage on to make it better.
We were late starting our day’s skiing, and Jon told me to jump in his sled for a lift until I felt better. I was relieved and hopped in with no questions.
24/11/07
Gone with the wind
Nov 24
You’ll never guess what happened me last night! I woke up at 2am and it was so bright, I couldn’t get back to sleep. I decided to go outside, though I could hear the wind blowing wildly. I quietly zipped down my sleeping bag, wriggled out, carefully stepped over Pat’s head, and before I knew it, I was standing outside on the ice.
It felt great to be out there alone; all I could see for miles around was snow and ice. No people, no buildings, no smells, no colour – just blue and white.
As I stood there in amazement, a sudden gust of wind came from behind.. I was swept off my feet and before I knew it, was hurtling along the ice!
‘Help’, I roared as loudly as I could. I screamed as I was thrown around, and out of the corner of my eye, saw the tents in the distance. ‘I gotta stop’ I told myself. Suddenly there was a big thud; I was wrapped around a huge sastrugi!
I was winded from the belt, shivering all over, and I was scared. I looked up and could see the tents in the distance. I hurt everywhere, but knew I had to get back. I began to run on all fours as quickly as I could. It was a long way, and I was tired now. The wind was blowing in my face, like it was pushing me away. I ran on and on.
21/11/07
Freddy has his porridge
Nov 21
Hello everyone,
What a time we’re having down here! It’s still bitterly cold, but at least my sled is getting lighter every day, as we eat hungrily!
My favourite breakfast is porridge with strawberries.. each time my food pack has one in it, my mouth waters! In all I have 55 food packs in my sled (one for each day of the trip); as well as breakfast, I have a dinner, dessert and trail food – which I eat on the move everyday.
I know you’re probably wondering what we eat during skiing everyday – well, we need to eat lots, to keep our energy levels up; nuts, dried fruit, cereal bars, chocolate, flapjacks, hot soup, biscuits, salami, cheese – all in special containers that are easy to open with big thick mitts on, and then easy to empty into your mouth without having to use your hands! Try it at home – eat your next snack with your hands wrapped in bubble wrap, using only your thumbs and fist!
Usually, stopping for food is miserable; although we’re warm when skiing, we cool down very quickly when we stop. My face is frozen, – my fur stands on end and I shiver. The only way to stay warm is to keep skiing.
We usually get up at 6am, start skiing at 8am, stop skiing at 6pm and are in bed as early as possible. What a long day…day after day!
